PMHNP DNP online programs

Published

Hi community,

I haven't been on here in years, but in looking for an online program that includes PMHNP and the DNP I was google searching, and came across a couple of mentions on this website with ideas, so I've done further research. I'm currently attending California State University Dominguez Hills online MSN program. My role option was CNS, but I've been out of clinical practice for 6 years. I am a behavioral health case manager, and I love my job. My advisor told me that as a CNS I would be expected to have years of current clinical expertise, and she encouraged me to change my role option to Nurse Administrator, which I reluctantly did. I know I don't want to be a Nurse Administrator, but the role option is much shorter, so I'll graduate fall 2012. (BTW, I'm in the MSN pathway program because my BS is in business, not nursing, so it was taking me longer because I had to take some BSN classes...not too many, so I've been taking a combination of BSN and MSN classes for the past year. So her recommendation to me, which I've decided is a very good choice is to finish the MSN and then find a program that offers the PMHNP and DNP. USD here is San Diego has a great one, but after conferring with them, I'd have to quit my job, because I work M-F 5am to 2pm, and I can't afford to do that, so I'm looking at all the online options. Cost and program integrity are the most important factors, plus, I only want to have to travel to the school location once a semester for a few days, do coursework online, and have my role performance here in San Diego. So I've looked at USA, Rush, University of Tennessee, University of Arizona, Sinclair in Missouri, Vanderbilt, Oregon HSU, Tennessee Health Science Center, East Tennessee State U, and Brandman. Those are the ones I've found that have the PMHNP and DNP. The costs are all over the board with Sinclair and USA apparently the least expensive from what I can see. Brandman would be convenient, because the on campus work would be in Irvine (about 80 miles away), but I think about $61,000 for program completion since I'd have to do the BSN to DNP to get the PMHNP piece and that's a total of 73 units. I believe I'd get some units knocked off for completing the MSN, but I'd still have close to 73 units to complete. On a positive note, it's only 2 years. Any recommendations, suggestions, places I haven't considered? Thanks for any feedback you might have.

Trina

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

No one responded, so I'm going to try to bring this to the top again. Has anyone done a cost comparison of the online PMHNP DNP post masters programs? I'm doing it myself by going through them one by one, but it is onerous. Some are less expensive but take twice as long, some are apparently more expensive, but take less time, and of course I'm looking for quality, and achievability, as I will be attending online from San Diego, but traveling to most for some on campus sessions. Any thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks!!

I'm checking it out right now.

Trina

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey all, I know this thread is old but I'm wondering if anyone is enrolled in a PMHNP DNP program? I am planning on applying to RUSH's program starting Spring 2013 and am seeking advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Trina,

I am a PMHNP enrolled in the online Brandman DNP program. My program is about 18 months and I think you might need to do anther year ( or less if they count some of your MSN courses) to complete the BSN to DNP program. I chose this program because I only need to be on campus 8 days in the entire program. I work full time and so I can't commit to a University that requires a lot of days on site. They have these immersion weeks - one at the beginning of the program for four days, then another two days after the first semester and another two days at the end. The faculty and students are from all over and so it really is a university that you can attend while working full-time. The director of the program is a PMHNP/DNP and currently there are a few of us who practice in psych. which makes it nice when interacting on online discussion boards. The cost is something to consider because you will have travel expenses in whatever program you choose. I think its also important to look into accreditation. Brandman is an accredited school. I think if you contact the school they will provide contact information for students in the BSN to DNP program. So far I am happy with the Post-Masters to DNP program. Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Christine:

Thanks. The last time I had checked Brandman was still in the process of being evaluated for accreditation. I so prefer to attend a brick and mortar campus and would really like to go to USD here in San Diego, but I'd need a minimum of 2, maybe 3 weekdays off a week to do their program, and I really need to work fulltime with benefits. I've done my BS and my MSN in online programming and I'm really pretty worn out with the online education realm (I attend CSUDH...final semester for MSN is fall, so one more to go...just finished my first role option semester and it was pretty tricky working 40 hours M-F and going every day after work for another 3-6 hours of clinical, again 5 days a week). I just don't see how I'd work the clinical for a PMHNP DNP around a M-F work scheduled...what do you think, and what is the work schedule that you keep while in school? I'm more worried about the clinical component than the classroom. Since you are already a PMHNP maybe you don't have as much clinical to do as I would. My MSN is in nurse administration, so I'll have the full clinical hours to complete (even post-MSN to received the PMHNP credential and the DNP). Thanks for the info. I'll check online at Brandman's website. I don't think the cost would be as much as USD, and the travel would be no big deal. I'd have to drive (from San Diego). There are no direct flights from SD to John Wayne airport, so it doesn't make sense to do anything other than drive, so it would just be the gas and the overnights. That shouldn't be problematic.

Thanks again for the info.

Trina

Up Vote Up Vote ×

University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis has the option you are looking for..they also participate in the academic common market program...you can apply to this program if you live in a participating state and attend UT at an instate rate...ex: I live in AR and will be attending UT in TN at an instate tuition rate...my tuition went from 14,000 a semester to 6,000 because of this program...I don't know if Cali is a participant or not tho..just a suggestion..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion